Maravedís (en. Maravedís)

/maɾaβeˈðis/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
noun
An ancient monetary unit that was used in Spain, especially in the Middle Ages.
The price of the item was five maravedi.
El precio del objeto era de cinco maravedíes.
The maravedi is often used in historical or literary contexts to refer to small coins.
Merchants accepted maravedi as a form of payment in the market.
Los comerciantes aceptaban maravedíes como forma de pago en el mercado.
Denotes a small amount of money, often related to something insignificant.
You cannot buy anything for a maravedi.
No se puede comprar nada por un maravedí.

Etymology

The term 'maravedi' comes from the Hispano-Arabic 'murābid', which refers to a coin used during the Muslim period in the Iberian Peninsula.

Common Phrases and Expressions

not worth a maravedi
expresses that something has no value at all.
no vale un maravedí
to get rid of a maravedi
to dispose of something of little value or importance.
quitarse de encima un maravedí
a maravedi and a half
expression that refers to something very cheap.
a maravedí y medio

Related Words

money
means of exchange generally accepted in transactions.
dinero
peseta
currency that was used in Spain before the euro.
peseta
mark
ancient silver coin used in various European countries.
marco

Slang Meanings

Something of little importance or value.
That discussion was a maravedi, it wasn't worth it.
Esa discusión fue un maravedí, no valía la pena.
A reference to something cheap or accessible.
That store has maravedi, everything is very affordable.
Esa tienda tiene maravedíes, todo es muy económico.